I hate this timeline.
.In a disturbing development for human rights, Tennessee Republicans are pushing a bill, HB 233, that would eliminate age requirements for marriage in the state. The legislation would establish common-law marriage between "one man" and "one woman," but without a minimum age requirement. Opponents argue that this bill could open the door for child marriages.
Currently, child marriage is legal in 44 US states, with nearly 300,000 children married between 2000 and 2018. Democratic Representative Mike Stewart warns that this legislation could be used as a cover for child abuse and statutory rape.
The United Nations defines child marriage as any marriage where at least one party is under 18 years old, stating that one in every five girls marries before becoming an adult.
Tennessee GOP Proposes Bill Eliminating Age Requirements for Marriage
https://www.newsweek.com/tennessee-bill-proposes-eliminating-marriage-age-requirements-1695209
By removing the minimum age requirement and allowing common-law marriages between "one man" and "one woman," this legislation may provide a legal cover for child abuse and statutory rape. Critics argue that this bill could create opportunities for pedophiles, as child marriage is already legal in 44 US states, with nearly 300,000 children married between 2000 and 2018.
THe UK has raised the age for marriage to 18 to protect children (anyone under 18 or 25 in some circumstances) under our law) from child marriage and the known risks that come with that, exploitation, pregnancy (which at an early has serious risks of harm as it is).
